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Native grasses with their soft outlines and movement in the breeze are a great idea for softening the look. You could Incorporate native flowers and evergreens for year round color and a natural look.

Large flagstone stepping stones are classic and add natural shapes with moss in between them. Some boulders for natural forms.

Chamomille, creeping thyme, beach strawberry, clover, etc. make good groundcover instead of sod and can be mowed to a 3 or 4 inch height.

Your local nursery will have plants that grow in your area.

When you have time post pics of your area here in a comment.